Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 39

Ekādaśī Vrata-Vidhi and the Galava–Bhadrashīla Itihāsa

Dharmakīrti before Yama

Devanagari script

एकादशीव्रतं चैव कर्त्तव्यमपि पण्डितैः । एवं ते बोधितास्तेन शिशवोऽपि मुनीश्वर ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

ekādaśīvrataṃ caiva karttavyamapi paṇḍitaiḥ | evaṃ te bodhitāstena śiśavo'pi munīśvara || 39 ||

Translation

ஏகாதசி விரதம் பண்டிதர்களாலும் நிச்சயமாகக் கடைப்பிடிக்கப்பட வேண்டும். அவன் இவ்வாறு போதித்ததால், ஓ முனீஸ்வரா, குழந்தைகளும் கூட விழிப்புணர்வு பெற்றனர்।

Word by Word

• एकादशी-व्रतम्: the Ekādaśī vow
• एकादशी-व्रतम्: कर्मणि-कर्तृ/विषय (Topic/subject of injunction)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एकादशी (प्रातिपदिक) + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom/Acc, 1st/2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (ekādaśyāḥ vratam)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-निपात (emphatic particle)

• कर्तव्यम्: should be performed
• कर्तव्यम्: विधेय (Predicate—obligation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भावे/कर्मणि प्रयोग ‘to be done/should be done’

• अपि: also
• अपि: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle)

• पण्डितैः: by the learned
• पण्डितैः: कर्तृ (Agent in passive/कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पण्डित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental, 3rd), बहुवचन

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: प्रकार (Manner adjunct)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of manner)

• ते: they
• ते: कर्मणि-कर्तृ (Subject in passive sense/कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• बोधिताः: instructed
• बोधिताः: विधेय (Predicate participle)
• Type: Verb
• Root: बुध् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• तेन: by him
• तेन: कर्तृ/करण (Agent/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• शिशवः: children
• शिशवः: कर्मणि-कर्तृ (Subject in passive sense/कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिशु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), बहुवचन

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle)

• मुनीश्वर: O lord of sages
• मुनीश्वर: सम्बोधन (Address/Vocative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक) + ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (munīnām īśvaraḥ)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Purana dialogue; addressing a sage as munīśvara)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Ekādaśī

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It asserts that Ekādaśī-vrata is universally authoritative—meant for everyone, even the wise—and that sincere instruction in such dharma can awaken even the young, emphasizing the vow’s purifying, elevating power.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

By recommending Ekādaśī-vrata, it points to disciplined devotional practice—restraint, remembrance, and worship-oriented living—as a direct support for Vishnu-bhakti, accessible regardless of age or scholarship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse highlights practical ritual discipline (vrata-niyama) rather than a specific Vedanga; it implies calendrical observance tied to tithi-based timing (a Jyotiṣa-adjacent application) for correctly keeping Ekādaśī.